Noise nuisance outside school

THE EDITOR: The noise pollution problem is increasing daily in this country. Recently Mrs Rhona Ince highlighted the issue of unauthorised fireworks displays. I would like to add my voice to hers in raising concerns about fireworks and other sources of noise in our environment.

I work near a government school, and I am appalled on a daily basis by the loudness of the music that is played by motorists who frequent the area. I am sometimes left to wonder whether these drivers are never heard by police officers, and whether the police have no authority to stop them from disturbing the peace. These drivers pass near the school during school hours and it seems they turn their music up to the fullest during these times. Surely a school zone should be respected more than that; how are children to learn if they are constantly being distracted by noises just outside their classroom? But it has become the norm now for drivers to play music at ridiculously loud levels. Surely this poses a danger on our roads as the noise can be startling and distracting, even to other drivers. Certainly the drivers who play such music cannot be operating at their fullest capacity while they drive, since their sense of hearing would be impaired.

I seem to remember a time when maxi-taxi drivers were stopped from playing loud music in their vehicles. Why can’t we do the same with all motorists? It seems to me that officers should be given the authority not only to warn noise-makers to turn down the volume, but to confiscate property and make arrests where the noise laws are repeatedly infringed. Where is the EMA and what are their policies to address noise pollution in TT? What actions are they taking on a large scale basis to curb the problem? TT, what are we standing by and allowing in our country today?

JANET DOYLE
San Fernando